I went to the library the other day. I needed a book to help me escape, to “not think”, a place to go other than the political news shows and the internet. I wanted to laugh.
I walk into the library and ask the woman at the front desk…”I need a fun book, where should I look?” She pointed me over to the newer best sellers. I saw books about politics and Steve Jobs and ….ugh. I knew she didn’t get what I meant. I started to feel a little lost and then she shouted out…”Oh, a YLD book came in!” I didn’t know who she was talking to so I asked, “excuse me?” She said, “A YLD book came in!” with a big grin on her face. I said, “What’s a YLD book?” and she said, “It means, it’s YOUR LUCKY DAY!!!! ”
Woo hoo! My lucky day! BRING IT! She explained that these YLD books are never available and if they are, well then, no doubt about it…it’s your lucky day!
Honestly, I barely looked at the book. I tore out my library card and tried to get out of there fast before someone tried to steal my book and ruin my lucky day.
Speaking of lucky days…Election Day is November 6th.
November 7th is going to be someone’s lucky day.
I know people are out there saying, “It’s not luck, so and so deserves to be president.”
I get it. I have an opinion. I care. I feel strongly. I will vote. Then I will watch and count and try to figure out how my guy can win. Then I will go to sleep and it will be fitful and anxious sleep. I will be uncomfortable, flipping channels in my dreams, still counting, still wondering, still hoping. In the morning we will know. Maybe. Or maybe there will be lawsuits and talk of hanging chads. Oh, never mind, that’s the past…a different time, a different night (week? month?) of fitful sleep.
Here’s what I want to remember. When we wake up that next morning or whenever we find out who won the presidential election…HALF of the country will be disappointed.
HALF.
50%.
This means your neighbor.
I repeat. HALF of this country will be disappointed. Either way.
I have said there are two Americas.
But I’ve thought about that now and I want to take it back. There is one America. And it’s beautiful and strong and I am so grateful to live here. There is one America.
Your neighbor may vote for “the other guy”. Your neighbor may have a yard sign you don’t like. Your neighbor may not wave to you in the carpool line on Wednesday. Your neighbor may have hoped and prayed the night before for the opposite of what you hoped and prayed for. It’s okay. She’s still your neighbor.
She’s still your neighbor…the one who brought you a casserole when you moved in. The one who drove your kids to their activities when you were sick. The neighbor who gives tirelessly at church or who runs the PTA. This is your neighbor who you have known for 15 years and always thought was such a good mom and a good friend. This is the neighbor who knows when to bring wine and when to bring chocolate and she usually shows up with both! This is your friend. You love her kids and her husband. You admire how she handles working full time and raising a family.
Or maybe you don’t know her but have always wanted to. Maybe she smiles at you when she walks the dog or keeps a beautiful garden that you’ve always admired. Maybe she works at the coffee shop or the dry cleaner. Maybe you just see her in passing but she’s friendly and kind.
Maybe she’s the mom that’s fought tirelessly for the kids with special needs. Maybe your kids have benifitted from her advocacy. Maybe she’s the teacher who took extra time to help your daughter or the parent who serves on the school board.
Maybe she’s the neighbor that came and sat with you when your mother died or when your child was sick. Maybe she’s the person you call when you need a hand or a hammer or a cup of sugar. Maybe she’s the one you call when you just need to talk. Maybe she’s the friend who invited you to church.
Or maybe it’s your dad. Your dad who has loved you since the day you were born. Maybe he can’t even sleep he’s in such a tizzy about the election. Maybe you are worried about his health.
Maybe it’s the military family down the road who lost a son in the war. Or maybe it’s a mother whose son is away on active duty now and she is terrified and wants him home.
Maybe it’s your brother whose business has fallen on hard times. He’s worried about payroll and health care benefits. He’s trying to survive.
You get the point. The list goes on.
We are all neighbors. We are all Americans.
So, here’s my plan for November 7th … smile and wave at my neighbor…no matter who wins and no matter who she hoped would win…because I like her. She’s a good person…a good American…and we need each other.
God bless my neighbor. And God bless the United States of America.
Romans 13:9 “whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
(I love to throw that in wherever I can 🙂 It simplifies things for me when I start to get confused by the external noise. )
Here’s a video/song for fun. Turn it up people. Trust me. Turn it up and remember…we are blessed.
Sue, thanks for helping me to remember what matters most. I am super duper disappointed and frustrated this morning but after all the reading I have done today, I have come to this conclusion: It is still up to me: Help someone out; Be productive; Radiate my values; Be kind; Make a difference. I can do it that no matter who is President.
Great Big YES!!!!!!
I made myself go back and read this this morning, Sue. I was so disappointed (to be honest, disgusted, but I know I’m not supposed to judge….right?) with the way things turned out last night. I need a reminder to not let it fester. Thanks for the perspective!
Thank you, Sue, for your wise, compassionate, funny, uplifting words. You are so right.
You are the best!
AMEN!!
But what was the book?!?
Where’d you go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. I loved it – entertaining and funny and interesting. Hooked me from the beginning.